Former Interior Minister İdris Naim Şahin has been released under a travel ban due to an investigation into charges such as “knowingly and willingly aiding an organization” and “harboring a criminal.” The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office requested judicial control over Şahin under Articles 220/7 and 283/1 of the Turkish Penal Code following the testimonies provided. Şahin was banned from leaving the country by the duty magistrate court. It has been reported that his lawyers will appeal this decision.
Focus of the Investigation: Vehicles
A significant portion of the investigation centers around who used the vehicles allocated to Şahin and for what purposes. The prosecution has posed numerous questions regarding the Volvo S90 with license plate 34 SL 313 and other vehicles that belong to Şahin. According to the file, fugitive suspects Hilmi Tuna Kuriş and Erhan Yılmaz were apprehended in Muğla on August 21, 2026.
The Volvo with plate 34 SL 313 was used by Mehmet Özmen. This vehicle was registered under a company owned by Özmen. It is noted that the plate was allocated to Şahin between December 17, 2025, and December 17, 2030. Şahin stated that he rented the vehicle on December 25, 2025, with an annual rental fee of one thousand Liras. However, his lawyer claimed that this amount is symbolic.
Belarus Connection and Conflicting Statements
The prosecution also inquired about the Audi Q7s belonging to Şahin being used by individuals from Belarus. Şahin confirmed that the Audi Q7 with plate 34 EMT 156 was used by these individuals and noted that another vehicle was obtained after an accident in Bodrum. He stated that the usage processes were managed by his former advisor, Ömür Yücel.
However, significant discrepancies were observed between the testimonies given by Yücel and those of Şahin. Yücel claimed that visa procedures with the Turkish Consulate in Belarus were conducted with Şahin’s knowledge. Şahin denied these allegations, stating that he became aware of these procedures only during the testimony. Additionally, Yücel’s claims that he communicated with Süleyman Hilmi Kalcı, known as “Alex,” and that instructions were given for the unauthorized use of the vehicle drew attention.
The prosecution also brought up a report made to the Istanbul Communication Electronics Branch in 2011, alleging that Kalcı was running a prostitution organization. Şahin, who was the Interior Minister at the time, stated that he had no information or hearsay regarding such allegations. However, Kalcı mentioned that he knew Mehmet Özmen and Nevzat Büküm.
Source: www.diyaloggazetesi.com
